Where to Start with Christine Goff
For readers new to Christine Goff (who also publishes under the name Chris Goff), your entry point depends entirely on which subgenre you prefer. Goff has written two distinct series: the cozy, environmentally themed Birdwatcher’s Mysteries and the fast-paced, high-stakes Raisa Jordan international thrillers. Because both series follow a linear timeline and feature recurring character relationships, the best starting point is the first book of whichever series matches your mood.
If you enjoy classic whodunits, stunning natural landscapes, and environmental themes, start with A Rant of Ravens, the debut of the Birdwatcher's Mysteries. If you prefer high-octane global espionage, political tension, and federal agents, start with Dark Waters, which introduces Diplomatic Security Service Agent Raisa Jordan.
The Birdwatcher’s Mysteries in Reading Order
The Birdwatcher’s Mysteries are set primarily in the rugged mountain community of Elk Park, Colorado. Unlike typical cozy mysteries that rely on a single amateur sleuth, Goff’s series is unique for utilizing a rotating cast of protagonists. The focus shifts from book to book, allowing local rangers, hotel owners, and visiting birders to take the lead depending on the environmental crisis at hand. Despite the changing perspectives, the books share a persistent community and continuous character arcs, meaning they are best read in publication order (which matches the internal chronological order).
- A Rant of Ravens (2000): Introduces Rachel Wilder, who retreats to her Aunt Miriam's "Bird Haven" ranch in Colorado to recover from a divorce. She quickly finds herself investigating a local murder and uncovering an illegal smuggling ring trading wild peregrine falcons to the Middle East.
- Death of a Songbird (2001): Shifts focus to Lark Drummond, owner of the Drummond Hotel and part-owner of the Chipe Coffee Company. When a business partner is murdered, Lark uses her spotting scope to investigate a plot that connects local crime to the environmental impact of sun-grown vs. shade-grown coffee plantations on migratory songbirds.
- A Nest in the Ashes (2002): Features National Park Service ranger Eric Linenger. Tasked with managing a prescribed burn in Rocky Mountain National Park, Eric must find a killer when a corpse is discovered in the path of the flames, highlighting the delicate balance of habitat preservation and wildfire management.
- Death Takes a Gander (2004): Centers on Angela Dimato, a Special Agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Angela is drawn to Colorado to investigate the suspicious death of her partner and a mysterious outbreak of environmental poisoning affecting local wildfowl.
- A Sacrifice of Buntings (2007): (Also published under the alternate title Death Shoots a Birdie). Rachel Wilder Stanhope returns to the spotlight. Alongside her friend Dorothy MacBean, Rachel tries to clear the name of a renowned bird researcher accused of murder amidst local turf wars over land development.
- A Parliament of Owls (2015): Angela Dimato returns as the lead investigator. Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, Angela investigates a murder discovered in a prairie dog colony, dealing with land-use conflicts and the protection of endangered burrowing owls while facing her own past trauma.
The Raisa Jordan Thrillers in Reading Order
Switching gears from cozy mountain mysteries, Christine Goff writes under the name Chris Goff for her international thriller series. These books follow Raisa Jordan, a whip-smart U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Agent who travels the world to defuse international crises and protect American personnel. The series must be read in order of release to appreciate the ongoing personal and professional developments in Raisa's life.
- Dark Waters (2015): Raisa Jordan is dispatched to Tel Aviv, Israel, to investigate a security breach. She is quickly sucked into a dangerous conspiracy involving regional politics, ancient animosities, and high-level cover-ups.
- Red Sky (2017): Raisa travels to Ukraine to handle a diplomatic emergency. The plot features cyber-warfare, international hacking rings, and intense geopolitical standoffs, culminating in a story that was named a finalist for the 2018 Colorado Book Award.
Short Stories and Other Works
In addition to her full-length novels, Goff published a standalone collection of shorter works titled The Land of Dreams: And Other Stories (2020). This collection allows readers to experience her storytelling in a shorter format, showcasing her range across both suspenseful and atmospheric narratives.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Christine Goff’s bibliography, keep these structural details in mind:
Cozy vs. Thriller Tones: The Birdwatcher's Mysteries feature mild violence, focus heavily on natural settings, and highlight real-world conservation issues. In contrast, the Raisa Jordan books are fast-paced, action-oriented thrillers with global stakes and higher levels of tension.
The Title Change Caveat: When looking for the fifth book in the Birdwatcher's series, note that A Sacrifice of Buntings and Death Shoots a Birdie are the exact same novel. Be careful not to purchase both copies thinking they are separate installments.
Real-World Research: Goff is a dedicated birder who can identify over 250 species, and she conducts extensive on-the-ground research for all her settings, from the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park to the streets of Tel Aviv.